Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

SPRINGFOUR

How A Social Impact Fintech Is Improving The Financial Health For Millions

When a financial institution’s customers are financially healthy, everyone wins. SpringFour, an award-winning social impact fintech and a Certified B Corporation, connects financial institutions’ customers with resources that help them make their payments and get back on their feet. With a digital-based platform of more than 20,000 vetted financial resources,...

INNOVATION Quebec

InnovÉÉ

InnovÉÉ-Unir idées et savoir

Unite knowledge and ideas

Innovations in the electric energy as well as electric and smart transportation sectors are the driving force behind the energy transition underway in Quebec and elsewhere in the world. InnovÉÉ’s mission is to stimulate, support and finance collaborative research projects in the fields of electric energy as well as electric...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY (JCSU)

ESPORTS AND GAMING TRIFECTA, THE FIRST AT AN HBCU

In February 2019, a mere conversation that I had with a JCSU athletics administrator about the paucity of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that possessed structured on-campus esports programming became the impetus behind my development of a proposal later that day for an esports and gaming academic program. The...

INNOVATION Quebec

ACCORD

FAIRE CROÎTRE LES ENTREPRISES ET LES RENDRE PLUS COMPÉTITIVES GRÂCE À LA DÉMARCHE ACCORD

Lancée en avril 2002, la démarche ACCORD vise à créer un environnement propice au développement des entreprises. Elle favorise la collaboration entre celles-ci et des organisations dans un domaine particulier et un territoire précis. Depuis plus de 20 ans, cette stratégiede développement régional demeure un outil important pour stimuler l’économie...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

OMERS VENTURES

OMERS VENTURES-REAL CHANGE DOESN’T HAVE A ROADMAP – WE BACK TECHNOLOGY DISRUPTORS WHO ARE NAVIGATING UNCHARTERED TERRITORY – IN SEARCH OF NEW SOLUTIONS FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

REAL CHANGE DOESN’T HAVE A ROADMAP – WE BACK TECHNOLOGY DISRUPTORS WHO ARE NAVIGATING UNCHARTERED TERRITORY – IN SEARCH OF NEW SOLUTIONS FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

OMERS Ventures has been backing early-stage technology companies for more than a decade.   Currently managing CAD$2 billion, with close to 60 investments in disruptive technology companies across North America and Europe, we are proud to support some of the world’s biggest thinkers and builders.   Spanning three countries, OMERS...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

NIKO PARTNERS

NIKO PARTNERS-COMPANIES NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE MARKETS IN WHICH THEY COMPETE

COMPANIES NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE MARKETS IN WHICH THEY COMPETE

When consumers and students think of the video game industry and esports, they think of the excitement and entertainment of it all – but rarely about the data that guides the strategy of a business and of the game development plan. A market research firm provides the data that helps...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

UIQ

THE BOLD STEP TOWARDS INNOVATION

University Innovation Quarter (UIQ) is a 76-acres destination that is currently being revitalized to become a world-class innovation district. Imagine UIQ as a driving force for the future of innovation in Calgary. The outcome is unmatched. A dense destination where research and discoveries are made and talent clusters. A place...

INNOVATION Quebec

ROZVELT

WHERE BREATH CONTROL MEETS THE WILD

ROZVELT is a bold new force in Canadian outdoor innovation — a Quebec-based startup rewriting the rules of scent control in hunting and wildlife observation. Founded in 2024 by Nicholas Monette (CEO) and George Korkejian (COO), Rozvelt was born from a simple but overlooked truth: while most scent-masking gear focuses...

Global Innovation Spotlight

The Future of Crypto Payments in E-Commerce

Discover how blockchain innovations, stablecoins, and new regulations are driving crypto adoption by merchants and consumers in e-commerce.

Cryptocurrencies are poised to reshape online retail payments by offering near-instant global transfers and lower fees compared to traditional methods. These advantages appeal to both merchants and consumers: a survey found about 46% of crypto users cite transaction speed and efficiency, and 41% value crypto’s borderless reach. Savvy retailers are...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

PARTSBADGER

ACCELERATING THE INNOVATION OF OTHERS

When Roy and Jimmy needed an enclosure machined for their small airborne electronics company, it took twelve inquiries over the course of weeks just to get a quote. When they finally did get a quote, it was cheaper to buy a CNC mill and make the machined parts themselves. So...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL ROADS AGENCY SOC LTD (SANRAL)

THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL ROADS AGENCY SOC LTD (SANRAL)- IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO TRANSFORM THE PUBLIC SECTOR

IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO TRANSFORM THE PUBLIC SECTOR, THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL ROADS AGENCY SOC LTD (SANRAL) WAS ESTABLISHED IN APRIL 1998 BY AN ACT OF PARLIAMENT, AS AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY COMPANY OPERATING ALONG COMMERCIAL LINES AND AT ARM’S LENGTH FROM GOVERNMENT

WITH A MANDATE TO FINANCE, DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN THE NATIONAL ROAD NETWORK OF OVER 22 000 KM, SANRAL LEADS THE WAY ON INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN A POST-COVID SOUTH AFRICA.   Innovation is at the forefront of SANRAL’s agenda in the infrastructure development space. In recent years the Agency has increasingly...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

PAULMAN HOLDINGS

PAULMAN HOLDINGS-BUILDING INNOVATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT SYSTEMS FOR AFRICA...

BUILDING INNOVATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT SYSTEMS FOR AFRICA...

Paulman Holdings is a wholly citizen-owned company founded in 2010 with the sole vision of becoming the most trusted and respected company, recognized by their clients for delivering excellence whilst simultaneously creating new opportunities for growth in their respective fields. Their main venture is the transportation of goods and services...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

techNL

Fueling Innovation: How techNL is Transforming Newfoundland and Labrador's Tech Ecosystem

Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), long celebrated for its rugged coastlines, vibrant culture, and rich history, is transforming into a thriving tech powerhouse. At the forefront of this evolution is techNL, a not-for-profit industry association with a bold mission to accelerate the growth of NL’s tech sector and position it as...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

GIGHOUND

Temp Labour for the 21st Century

In today’s fast-paced economy, employers are facing a major challenge: how to handle their changing day-to-day labour needs without over-hiring full-time staff. Finding, screening, and training new employees can be a costly and time-consuming process for companies. GigHound solves these problems by providing a flexible, reliable, and cost-effective solution that...

Global Innovation Spotlight

PINKTUM

PINKTUM-Personnel Development In Spain Goes Digital

Personnel Development In Spain Goes Digital

A new form of human resources development is needed to successfully master global challenges. As one of the leading providers of E-learning and web-based trainings for effective and sustainable personnel development in companies, PINKTUM breaks new ground in Madrid’s start-up scene. PINKTUM offers scientifically based personnel development in the digital...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

FreshJax

Thinking Bigger Than Salt And Pepper

Sizzle, smoke, and flames. Family, friends, and summer afternoons. Backyard barbeques are known for their music, drinks, and tasty food. When walking up to the FreshJax kitchen and distribution center in Jacksonville, FL, the sweet smell of cooking spices fills the air. FreshJax is changing the way people cook with...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

SKILLSGAPP

FROM GAMEPLAY TO PAYDAY

Reimagining South Carolina’s Workforce Pipeline Workforce needs have been at a crisis point for years, but traditional efforts for career awareness and access weren’t reaching the next generation in time. That gap in matching talent with in-demand jobs sparked South Carolina-based skillsgapp,a first-of-its kind workforce engagement platform. Its flagship products,...

Global Innovation Spotlight

DUBAI INSTITUTE OF DESIGN AND INNOVATION

DUBAI INSTITUTE OF DESIGN AND INNOVATION-Was Established To Address The Growing Need For Talented Designers And Innovators In The UAE And Beyond.

Was Established To Address The Growing Need For Talented Designers And Innovators In The UAE And Beyond

Its vision is simple: to prepare students for a world where today’s jobs may not exist in the future. Global in outlook, bold in its approach, DIDI instils youth with the confidence to take risks, push boundaries, and challenge ways of thinking, making and creating.   The private non-profit university...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

OMC

OMC-OPEN INNOVATION: THE WAY TO PRODUCE LOCALLY

OPEN INNOVATION: THE WAY TO PRODUCE LOCALLY

Marc is a passionate engineer who has been active for more than 40 years in first-of-a-kind product development from the first multi-media computers to DVD recorders to smartphone chipsets and EUV light sources for the newest chip making machines of ASML. Marc spent most of his international career in The...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

Future Health

Ten Years of Innovation at ZOL at the Crossroads of Clinical Care and Science

Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg (ZOL) is a large general hospital in the east of Flanders. It was established in 1995 after the merger of three hospitals and expanded in 2021 through the integration of ZOL Maas en Kempen. ZOL is currently the largest hospital in Limburg, with four sites located in Genk,...

INNOVATION Quebec

COREM

Corem- Is a centre of expertise and innovation in mineral processing with the largest concentration of resources dedicated to research and innovation in this field in Canada

s a centre of expertise and innovation in mineral processing with the largest concentration of resources dedicated to research and innovation in this field in Canada

As a not-for-profit organization, Corem works to improve the competitiveness of the mining industry and reduce environmental impact through the industrialization of innovative solutions. Corem works closely with its Canadian and international mining company members and clients, and its research and government partners to achieve this goal.   Founded in...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

TAKASA

UNLOCK A WORLD OF SUSTAINABLE POSSIBILITIES WITH TAKASA

Takasa is a premium organic lifestyle company that is devoted to sourcing the finest materials, partnering with fair-trade and clean manufacturers, and delivering exceptional value to customers. With a passion for exceptionally high-quality materials and socially conscious manufacturing processes, Takasa is focused on combining thoughtfully designed premium products for those...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

ULTRA

ULTRA-GAMERS HAVE WANTED TO DO MORE WHILE GAMING. NOW THEY CAN.

GAMERS HAVE WANTED TO DO MORE WHILE GAMING. NOW THEY CAN.

READY PLAYER ONE“What if I actually owned my digital games and in-game items?” That’s been the question on most gamers’ minds.   With limited solutions and some gamers resorting to the shady secondhand grey market to make use of their content outside of the game, David Hanson and Nicolas Gilot,...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

ACOM

EASE AND SECURITY

ACOM Sistemas is a company founded in Paraná, it develops management software for clients in Brazil. It has a focus on contributing to the digital transformation of businesses, especially in the out-of-home food sector, through the ERP EVEREST Food Service®. This software integrates the entire operation, from the sales receipt...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

SPRINGFOUR

How A Social Impact Fintech Is Improving The Financial Health For Millions

When a financial institution’s customers are financially healthy, everyone wins. SpringFour, an award-winning social impact fintech and a Certified B Corporation, connects financial institutions’ customers with resources that help them make their payments and get back on their feet. With a digital-based platform of more than 20,000 vetted financial resources,...

INNOVATION Quebec

InnovÉÉ

InnovÉÉ-Unir idées et savoir

Unite knowledge and ideas

Innovations in the electric energy as well as electric and smart transportation sectors are the driving force behind the energy transition underway in Quebec and elsewhere in the world. InnovÉÉ’s mission is to stimulate, support and finance collaborative research projects in the fields of electric energy as well as electric...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY (JCSU)

ESPORTS AND GAMING TRIFECTA, THE FIRST AT AN HBCU

In February 2019, a mere conversation that I had with a JCSU athletics administrator about the paucity of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that possessed structured on-campus esports programming became the impetus behind my development of a proposal later that day for an esports and gaming academic program. The...

INNOVATION Quebec

ACCORD

FAIRE CROÎTRE LES ENTREPRISES ET LES RENDRE PLUS COMPÉTITIVES GRÂCE À LA DÉMARCHE ACCORD

Lancée en avril 2002, la démarche ACCORD vise à créer un environnement propice au développement des entreprises. Elle favorise la collaboration entre celles-ci et des organisations dans un domaine particulier et un territoire précis. Depuis plus de 20 ans, cette stratégiede développement régional demeure un outil important pour stimuler l’économie...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

OMERS VENTURES

OMERS VENTURES-REAL CHANGE DOESN’T HAVE A ROADMAP – WE BACK TECHNOLOGY DISRUPTORS WHO ARE NAVIGATING UNCHARTERED TERRITORY – IN SEARCH OF NEW SOLUTIONS FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

REAL CHANGE DOESN’T HAVE A ROADMAP – WE BACK TECHNOLOGY DISRUPTORS WHO ARE NAVIGATING UNCHARTERED TERRITORY – IN SEARCH OF NEW SOLUTIONS FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

OMERS Ventures has been backing early-stage technology companies for more than a decade.   Currently managing CAD$2 billion, with close to 60 investments in disruptive technology companies across North America and Europe, we are proud to support some of the world’s biggest thinkers and builders.   Spanning three countries, OMERS...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

NIKO PARTNERS

NIKO PARTNERS-COMPANIES NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE MARKETS IN WHICH THEY COMPETE

COMPANIES NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE MARKETS IN WHICH THEY COMPETE

When consumers and students think of the video game industry and esports, they think of the excitement and entertainment of it all – but rarely about the data that guides the strategy of a business and of the game development plan. A market research firm provides the data that helps...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

UIQ

THE BOLD STEP TOWARDS INNOVATION

University Innovation Quarter (UIQ) is a 76-acres destination that is currently being revitalized to become a world-class innovation district. Imagine UIQ as a driving force for the future of innovation in Calgary. The outcome is unmatched. A dense destination where research and discoveries are made and talent clusters. A place...

INNOVATION Quebec

ROZVELT

WHERE BREATH CONTROL MEETS THE WILD

ROZVELT is a bold new force in Canadian outdoor innovation — a Quebec-based startup rewriting the rules of scent control in hunting and wildlife observation. Founded in 2024 by Nicholas Monette (CEO) and George Korkejian (COO), Rozvelt was born from a simple but overlooked truth: while most scent-masking gear focuses...

Global Innovation Spotlight

The Future of Crypto Payments in E-Commerce

Discover how blockchain innovations, stablecoins, and new regulations are driving crypto adoption by merchants and consumers in e-commerce.

Cryptocurrencies are poised to reshape online retail payments by offering near-instant global transfers and lower fees compared to traditional methods. These advantages appeal to both merchants and consumers: a survey found about 46% of crypto users cite transaction speed and efficiency, and 41% value crypto’s borderless reach. Savvy retailers are...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

PARTSBADGER

ACCELERATING THE INNOVATION OF OTHERS

When Roy and Jimmy needed an enclosure machined for their small airborne electronics company, it took twelve inquiries over the course of weeks just to get a quote. When they finally did get a quote, it was cheaper to buy a CNC mill and make the machined parts themselves. So...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL ROADS AGENCY SOC LTD (SANRAL)

THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL ROADS AGENCY SOC LTD (SANRAL)- IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO TRANSFORM THE PUBLIC SECTOR

IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO TRANSFORM THE PUBLIC SECTOR, THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL ROADS AGENCY SOC LTD (SANRAL) WAS ESTABLISHED IN APRIL 1998 BY AN ACT OF PARLIAMENT, AS AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY COMPANY OPERATING ALONG COMMERCIAL LINES AND AT ARM’S LENGTH FROM GOVERNMENT

WITH A MANDATE TO FINANCE, DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN THE NATIONAL ROAD NETWORK OF OVER 22 000 KM, SANRAL LEADS THE WAY ON INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN A POST-COVID SOUTH AFRICA.   Innovation is at the forefront of SANRAL’s agenda in the infrastructure development space. In recent years the Agency has increasingly...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

PAULMAN HOLDINGS

PAULMAN HOLDINGS-BUILDING INNOVATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT SYSTEMS FOR AFRICA...

BUILDING INNOVATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT SYSTEMS FOR AFRICA...

Paulman Holdings is a wholly citizen-owned company founded in 2010 with the sole vision of becoming the most trusted and respected company, recognized by their clients for delivering excellence whilst simultaneously creating new opportunities for growth in their respective fields. Their main venture is the transportation of goods and services...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

techNL

Fueling Innovation: How techNL is Transforming Newfoundland and Labrador's Tech Ecosystem

Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), long celebrated for its rugged coastlines, vibrant culture, and rich history, is transforming into a thriving tech powerhouse. At the forefront of this evolution is techNL, a not-for-profit industry association with a bold mission to accelerate the growth of NL’s tech sector and position it as...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

GIGHOUND

Temp Labour for the 21st Century

In today’s fast-paced economy, employers are facing a major challenge: how to handle their changing day-to-day labour needs without over-hiring full-time staff. Finding, screening, and training new employees can be a costly and time-consuming process for companies. GigHound solves these problems by providing a flexible, reliable, and cost-effective solution that...

Global Innovation Spotlight

PINKTUM

PINKTUM-Personnel Development In Spain Goes Digital

Personnel Development In Spain Goes Digital

A new form of human resources development is needed to successfully master global challenges. As one of the leading providers of E-learning and web-based trainings for effective and sustainable personnel development in companies, PINKTUM breaks new ground in Madrid’s start-up scene. PINKTUM offers scientifically based personnel development in the digital...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

FreshJax

Thinking Bigger Than Salt And Pepper

Sizzle, smoke, and flames. Family, friends, and summer afternoons. Backyard barbeques are known for their music, drinks, and tasty food. When walking up to the FreshJax kitchen and distribution center in Jacksonville, FL, the sweet smell of cooking spices fills the air. FreshJax is changing the way people cook with...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

SKILLSGAPP

FROM GAMEPLAY TO PAYDAY

Reimagining South Carolina’s Workforce Pipeline Workforce needs have been at a crisis point for years, but traditional efforts for career awareness and access weren’t reaching the next generation in time. That gap in matching talent with in-demand jobs sparked South Carolina-based skillsgapp,a first-of-its kind workforce engagement platform. Its flagship products,...

Global Innovation Spotlight

DUBAI INSTITUTE OF DESIGN AND INNOVATION

DUBAI INSTITUTE OF DESIGN AND INNOVATION-Was Established To Address The Growing Need For Talented Designers And Innovators In The UAE And Beyond.

Was Established To Address The Growing Need For Talented Designers And Innovators In The UAE And Beyond

Its vision is simple: to prepare students for a world where today’s jobs may not exist in the future. Global in outlook, bold in its approach, DIDI instils youth with the confidence to take risks, push boundaries, and challenge ways of thinking, making and creating.   The private non-profit university...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

OMC

OMC-OPEN INNOVATION: THE WAY TO PRODUCE LOCALLY

OPEN INNOVATION: THE WAY TO PRODUCE LOCALLY

Marc is a passionate engineer who has been active for more than 40 years in first-of-a-kind product development from the first multi-media computers to DVD recorders to smartphone chipsets and EUV light sources for the newest chip making machines of ASML. Marc spent most of his international career in The...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

Future Health

Ten Years of Innovation at ZOL at the Crossroads of Clinical Care and Science

Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg (ZOL) is a large general hospital in the east of Flanders. It was established in 1995 after the merger of three hospitals and expanded in 2021 through the integration of ZOL Maas en Kempen. ZOL is currently the largest hospital in Limburg, with four sites located in Genk,...

INNOVATION Quebec

COREM

Corem- Is a centre of expertise and innovation in mineral processing with the largest concentration of resources dedicated to research and innovation in this field in Canada

s a centre of expertise and innovation in mineral processing with the largest concentration of resources dedicated to research and innovation in this field in Canada

As a not-for-profit organization, Corem works to improve the competitiveness of the mining industry and reduce environmental impact through the industrialization of innovative solutions. Corem works closely with its Canadian and international mining company members and clients, and its research and government partners to achieve this goal.   Founded in...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

TAKASA

UNLOCK A WORLD OF SUSTAINABLE POSSIBILITIES WITH TAKASA

Takasa is a premium organic lifestyle company that is devoted to sourcing the finest materials, partnering with fair-trade and clean manufacturers, and delivering exceptional value to customers. With a passion for exceptionally high-quality materials and socially conscious manufacturing processes, Takasa is focused on combining thoughtfully designed premium products for those...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

ULTRA

ULTRA-GAMERS HAVE WANTED TO DO MORE WHILE GAMING. NOW THEY CAN.

GAMERS HAVE WANTED TO DO MORE WHILE GAMING. NOW THEY CAN.

READY PLAYER ONE“What if I actually owned my digital games and in-game items?” That’s been the question on most gamers’ minds.   With limited solutions and some gamers resorting to the shady secondhand grey market to make use of their content outside of the game, David Hanson and Nicolas Gilot,...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

ACOM

EASE AND SECURITY

ACOM Sistemas is a company founded in Paraná, it develops management software for clients in Brazil. It has a focus on contributing to the digital transformation of businesses, especially in the out-of-home food sector, through the ERP EVEREST Food Service®. This software integrates the entire operation, from the sales receipt...

Ecosystems